Chapter 8 — From now on, mountains and rivers do not match each other

My eyelashes fluttered, slowly opening my eyes. His eyes were initially confused, but after seeing clearly that it was me, a flash of surprise flashed through.

“Vu Vi…”

“Don't move,” I pressed him back, “The wound has just been stitched.”

He tried to lift his hand, but he touched the wound again, and it hurt so much that he let out a groan.

“I told you not to move.” I said coldly, "Luc Tram Chu, just what kind of person have you offended?"

He was silent for a moment.

“Competitors in the marketplace,” he whispered, “I didn't expect them to dare to act in the country.”

"So why didn't you call the police? Didn't you go to the hospital?"

"I can't go," he smiled bitterly, "This project going to Van Chau to negotiate involves a lot of people. The other party wants to force me into the hospital to create a fake death scene."

I took a breath of cold air.

“So you ran to me to wait for death?”

"I want to see you," he looked at me, his eyes were terrifyingly sincere, "If I really have to die in the end, I want to die in front of you."

“Crazy guy.” I gritted my teeth, "Now get out of my way."

"I can't walk," he whispered, "There must be someone outside looking for me. Vu Vi, just consider... saving a life."

I stared at him, my heart torn fiercely. In the end, the physician's instinct won.

“Up to three days,” I conceded, “After three days, regardless of whether you can move or not, you will be forced to leave.”

He nodded slightly, then fell asleep again.

—

The days Luc Tram Chu recuperated at my house, the atmosphere was very magical. Lam Da is always wary of him, while Lam Nguyet finds this uncle "handsome but always frowning". I try to differentiate between public and private affairs, changing medicine, preparing medicine, monitoring temperature. At dusk on the third day, he was in a bit better spirits, leaning against the head of the bed and watching me arrange the medicinal herbs.

“Your actions are very skillful.” he said.

“Practice for two years.”

“Why study medicine?”

My hands never stopped working: "It's a family profession. My father is an Oriental medicine doctor. I've heard and seen it since I was young."

“I've never mentioned my father before.”

“Not necessary.” I paused, "Luc Tram Chu, we have been married for five years, you have never asked about my past, about my family, about my hobbies. Now asking these things, does it make any sense?"

He was silent. The sunset slanted through the window, casting a warm ray of light on his face.

“Vu Vi,” he said softly, “What if I told you that the year I married you, it wasn't entirely because my grandfather forced me?”

My hand stopped.

“The first time I met you was in the company's main lobby. You were wearing a faded, washed dress, your back was straight, your eyes were as clear as spring water.” He recalled, “When grandpa told me to marry you, I actually… wasn't that opposed.”

“But you showed a lot of resistance.” I remind.

"Because at that time, I thought marriage was supposed to be a matter of respect and mutual respect. Luc Man and I were raised as a couple since childhood, everyone thought we would get married." He laughed to himself, "So I was intentionally cold towards you, wanting you to know that it was difficult to back away. But you never cried or caused trouble, just remained obedient and quiet, like a tree."

“So I feel bored bored."

“No,” he looked at me, “I feel scared.”

I was stunned.

“The more you stay silent, the more confused I become. Because I don't know what you're thinking, I don't know what you want. I had to use more material to fill it up, but you… don't look happy at all.” He paused, "Later I understood, you're not a tree, you're a frozen flame."

The darkness outside the window gradually falls. I put down the medicinal herbs and walked to his bed.